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Meaning & use

acting manager

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌæktɪŋ ˈmænɪdʒə/
US/ˌæktɪŋ ˈmænɪdʒər/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A person who does a manager's job for a limited time, for example while the usual manager is away or the position is empty.

    Grammar: Countable: an acting manager; the acting manager signed the order.

    Patterns

    • acting manager of something
    • serve as acting manager

    Maria is the acting manager while Mr. Lee is on leave.

    The board named an acting manager until a permanent hire could be found.

    As acting manager, he approved the schedule for the week.

  2. nouncountable

    Someone who holds a manager's title and authority temporarily and is often considered for the permanent post.

    Grammar: Often appears in titles: acting manager Sam Cole.

    Patterns

    • acting manager of the department

    The acting manager impressed the directors and was later offered the job.

    The acting manager of the hotel dealt with the complaint.

Word forms

pluralacting managers

Common combinations

appoint an acting manager
The company appointed an acting manager after the resignation.
serve as acting manager
She served as acting manager for three months.
the acting manager said
The acting manager said the store would reopen on Monday.
act as manager
Someone must act as manager during the holidays.
become acting manager
He became acting manager after the boss retired.

Synonyms and how they differ

interim manager
Interim manager is slightly more formal and may suggest a hired outsider, while an acting manager is often an existing employee.
temporary manager
Temporary manager is plain wording, while acting manager is the standard job-title term.
deputy manager
A deputy manager is a permanent second-in-command, whereas an acting manager holds the top role for a short time.
caretaker manager
Caretaker manager is common in sport and suggests a stop-gap, whereas acting manager is used across all workplaces.

Opposites

permanent manager

Word family

manage verb
to run or control something
manager noun
a person who runs a team or business
management noun
the people or act of running an organization
acting adjective
temporarily doing another person's job

Commonly confused: acting manager or stage manager? acting manager or assistant manager?

acting manager vs stage manager

A stage manager runs the practical side of a theater show, and has no link to acting in the temporary sense.

acting manager vs assistant manager

An assistant manager is a permanent helper to the manager, while an acting manager temporarily replaces the manager.

Practice

The manager is on maternity leave, so Jo has been named ___ until she returns.

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